Today I'd like to share with you what The Bride and I did over this last weekend, because it was pretty exciting stuff.

The Bride had the opportunity to enroll in a Medical Seminar geared to disaster medicine, including suturing, stapling and wound care, taught by none other then Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy of DoomandBloom.net.

On Sunday, we made the trek to Weston, FL, just west of Ft. Lauderdale. In the class were eighteen people (including three MD's) learning how to suture wounds using stitch and staples; nine folks were in the back of the room, schmoozing and drinking coffee, and gazing longingly at the medical bags that Doc and Amy had available.

Sarge listened in on the lecture given by Doc and Amy, as The Bride sat down at the student station. They were a joy to listen to; each one played off the other's knowledge, and the humor banter was delightful. After a 20-30 minute talk and slide show by Doc, the students got to practice their stitching skills, and not a few learned new stuff. Doc and Amy had provided pigs' feet at each station for the students to stitch up; that gave an added realism that made the class that much better.

As The Bride showed off her knitting to an appreciative Nurse Amy, Sarge got to talking with various watchers and others who drank coffee in the back. Sarge struck up a conversation with a former Marine who had extensive medical equipment knowledge. The Marine also told much of what he knew about the situation in south Florida, from a prepper's perspective (for which Sarge took copious notes)...

After the stitching was examined and judged by Doc and Amy, each participant was awarded a certificate. Sarge and The Bride got to have an extended conversation with Doctor Bones and Nurse Amy; The Bride sharing her career exploits, and Sarge quizzing Doctor Bones about comments he made during the lecture.

It seems that, according to Doctor Bones, several polls have been conducted among medical first responders across the nation. If you search on the phrase, "willingness to respond to work during catastrophe" you can find some of these articles. Doctor Bones stated that in major population centers, anywhere from 30% to 55% of first responders and medical personnel would NOT report for duty in a catastrophe situation, be it natural disaster, pandemic, or mass casualty event. In light of this, he went on, it was all the more imperative that those people with medical training and knowledge be prepared not only with supplies and equipment, but also with the knowledge that THEY might be the only medical help responding, that they might be fully on their own.

Folks, that to me is chilling. We have heard talk of Law Enforcement circling the wagons and not taking action; I've written a few articles underscoring historical events that saw that very thing. In such a situation, many of the prepper community have steeled themselves to the challenge of self-defense and community defense. We see here the increased likelihood that the medical personnel might not report as well. This knowledge should be (I would strongly recommend) incorporated in any and all disaster plans that you, or any group you're with, are developing.

I would recommend this seminar and anything taught by Doctor Bones and Nurse Amy to anyone who can make the effort. The seminar itself was $60 per participant; we dropped $70 in gas round trip, and $30 in food (Cracker Barrel on the way home). WELL WORTH the investment of time and money.

Sarge asked me to answer your question. If you had your fun toy taken away, and was told to pack the wound, then there was possibly signs of infection or the wound was too big or maybe even too deep to close. I'm not sure what type of class you were in but part of making the decision to either suture, staple or pack is to check signs of infection. If the edge of the cut was warm or hot, red, swollen, or showing signs of pus (inside also), you don't want to close the wound until the infection is gone. Doing a wet-to-dry dressing would help the wound to heal (and the person would be happier that you didn't induce more pain). Just remember to clean the wound before you make your decision.

That sounds like you have a good bag going there for ya. You can even use clean water and a couple of drops of bleach to clean the wound too. I learned this yesterday. I have super glue (Nurse Amy suggests the gel vs the liquid). Gel won’t go all over the place like the liquid.

Yes Ma’am that was the issue. The USAF PJ instructor said to pack the wound vs close it as even as much as we “think” we cleaned such in the field to close it encapsulated the bug that would infect later. Still have the staplers but just am not quick on the draw with that solution after irrigation of the wound.

clorox ? Good suggestion ....Thanks I learned something !

Stay Safe and I am Grateful for yer time !

19
posted on 02/25/2013 8:49:22 PM PST
by Squantos
( Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet ...)

I do need to take a course like this. My aunt stitched the bottom of my foot when I wuz a lad of 11 years.

1.5”s and I don’t ever think of it.

Had stichin on my fore finger and years later cuz made into a walking zipper when a failed appendectomy resulted in me opened from pelvic bone to diaphram. pretty kewel for a couple of weeks and odd feeling when they pulled staples.

I look like eyez been in a knife fight or sumpin ...

23
posted on 02/25/2013 11:26:55 PM PST
by Vendome
(Don't take life so seriously, you won't live through it anyway)

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